Senator David Norris' address to Seanad Eireann (the Irish Senate)

In Sept. 2007, fourteen months before Ireland's bank bailout, I resigned from my position as the Risk Manager of UniCredit Bank Ireland. I did that in order not to incriminate myself. I have spent the last 4 years seeking justice. On Feb. 23rd., 2010, I was fortunate to have Senator David Norris raise the matter in Seanad Eireann (the Irish Senate), and request a response from the Minister of Finance, Mr. Brian Lenihan. Senator Norris concluded by stating that:

"...there is ministerial responsibility in this matter.
This is a grossly serious matter which has been reported to the Financial Regulator. A man has lost his job as a result. He honourably resigned. The degree of breach was 40 times the accepted margin. This is a disaster. If we are not prepared to face the issue and investigate it when it has been laid before the House, there is absolutely no hope for the financial system or its reputation worldwide...How can the Financial Regulator investigate himself? He was in breach of his responsibility."

In Nov. 2011, Emma Alberici, Europe correspondent for ABC TV, told my story as part of her documentary 'Going Rogue' which featured Nick Leeson and Sir John Vickers among other interviewees. It is ironic that at a time when the Irish tax-payer is bailing out un-secured bond holders, my story which occurred in Dublin, is deemed of interest to the Australian TV license payer. Please click on 'play video' on the following link:

Thursday, 28 July 2011

'Central Bank Bill published' - Breaking news on the Irish Times website. Once again, Minister Noonan, forgive me for confusing you with some facts.

The show must go on.

Michael Noonan, our Finance Minister, acknowledges regulatory failures and is proud to present the latest attempt at tooth-less legislation. The motivation? it was a demand by our lords and masters - the ECB & IMF as part of our punitive bailout. Read with your own eyes:

Central Bank Bill published - IrishTimes.com

CHARLIE TAYLORThu, Jul 28, 2011

New legislation that enhances the Central Bank's regulatory powers and provides protection for whistleblowers was published today.

The Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Bill 2011 strengthens the ability of authorities to impose and supervise compliance with regulatory requirements and to undertake interventions when necessary.

The publication of the Bill is a further requirement under the EU-IMF programme of support for Ireland.

Announcing the publication of the Bill this morning, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said the legislation was a response to the regulatory failures which led to the recent financial crisis.

"The publication of the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Bill 2011 represents a significant further step in the reform of financial regulation in Ireland. The changes introduced by the Bill will underpin an assertive, risk-based model of regulation supported by a credible threat of enforcement," said Mr Noonan.

Among the provisions included in the Bill is protection from civil liability and victimisation for so-called whistleblowers and a requirement for financial service providers to provide independently prepared reports to the Central Bank for diagnostic, monitoring and compliance purposes.

The power to issue regulatory interventions is included in the new legislation as is the ability to fine or suspend financial services providers where necessary.

The Bill is expected to progress to second stage in the Dáil this autumn.

there seems to great confusion about what the word 'confidential' means. So much so, that the Central Bank officials asked for the meeting to be adjourned. They then left the meeting room and returned only after they check what the Central Bank means when it says 'confidential' (Did they call Honohan's office? Or yours?!?). The conclusion was that merely my identity would be regarded as confidential, not the facts to be disclosed. Therefore, I could potentially be facing criminal charges on account of what transpired at UniCredit Bank Ireland in 2007.

Yes, I, the person who officially reported a liquidity breach of 1,900% (one thousand and nine hundred percent) to the Financial Regulator, could be facing criminal charges. The fact that this was a year before the entire Irish banking system ran dry of liquidity and required the infamous late-night last-minute guarantee, does not seem to matter. No one is to blame for that, and no one has been convicted of any criminal charges since. The Irish tax payer, and every tax payer trough-out Europe is paying for it.

Unfortunately for you, there are minutes of the meeting kept safely at a well-known solicitors firm in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Although you claim to have no knowledge of my affair, you did actually raise reservations about my telephone conversation with your secretary about the subject.